The Culture Colonel

What's improved the lived experience of women in the Armed Forces over the last two decades? Warrant Officer Sim Rezazadeh-Wilson knows and she's pushing for more longer term change. Sim is a Royal Air Force Logistics Movement specialist.  She is the Deputy Advocate for the RAF’s Gender Network and she's on the committee of the Healing Military Minds fund raising machine. Proud of her Persian ancestry and her 22 years of service in the RAF, here she reflects on the importance of positivity and her drive to be a better person than the day before.  It's clear she's got commitment and passion in abundance.  She's also motivated by making other people’s lives better, empowering junior women and she reminds us that everyone’s voice matters – even if you don’t have a “big badge”. Join Sim and Lindsay as they discuss encouraging quotations, brilliant books and the importance of challenging respectfully. We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time!  Quotations: “If you don’t know your purpose, follow your passion.” – Jennifer Lee “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women” – Madeleine Albright  Books Referenced: “Leading Gracefully” Monique Svazlian Tallon “Positive Vibes” by Vex King Other Articles mentioned by Sim: Kate Winslet interviews about women’s appearances: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c05jr43dejjoFollow Sim: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sim-rezazadeh-wilsonInstagram:  instagram.com/sim_rezazadeh/ X:  twitter.com/SimRezazadehFollow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com

Reverend (Group Captain) Ruth Hake is the Royal Air Force’s Deputy Chaplain in Chief. Here she shares her remarkable journey to becoming a Royal Air Force padre; not least her reticence to be a vicar. Ruth discusses the unique role of chaplains in the Armed Forces and their vital work to provide pastoral and spiritual support.   Ruth reflects on the value of appropriate vulnerability; something that Gemma Morgan also discussed in Episode 6 (“Captain Morgan’s lost her marbles” Link below). She discusses culture change, the difficulty of challenge and how best to do this. Finally, Ruth reminds us to think about how we make our people feel and the impact and power of an apology. Join Ruth and Lindsay MacDuff as they ruminate on leading well with care and compassion. We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time!Listen to episode 6 with Gemma Morgan on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com and Spotify:open.spotify.com/episode  Follow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com

Tim “Grimmers” Grimley is a Captain in the Royal Navy who unexpectedly became the Lead Ally to the Naval Servicewomen’s Network, a role which has opened his eyes to the experience of women in the Armed Forces.From ill-fitting kit to poor supplies of period products, Grimmers is always keen to learn about the difficulties servicewomen are faced with and how they impact combat effectiveness.He tells Lindsay MacDuff why it's important for leaders to have courageous conversations.Grimmers is completely committed to encouraging men to lead organisational culture change. He stresses that leaders at every rank and grade have a part to play in changing culture. He's also got some top tips for how to be a better male ally.We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Grimmers mentions a previous episode of this podcast featuring Steve Prest - you can listen here:Spotify: open.spotify.comApple: podcasts.apple.comQuotations: “Until the observers are punished as severely as those who perpetrate the crimes, the culture will never change” – Anonymous women in Army evidence to HCDC Women in the Armed Forces Report (https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/125890/pdf/) Books Referenced: “Invisible Women” by Caroline Criado Perez “The Accidental Sexist” Gary Ford, Stephen Koch and Dr Jill Armstrong (https://www.theaccidentalsexist.com/) Follow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Olympian, Doctor and Army Reservist, Dr Kerenza Bryson’s achievements are super impressive.This year she's been a full-time Modern Pentathlete. She is the current European champion and represented Team GB at the Olympic Games in Paris.Alongside elite sport, she is a qualified doctor and an officer in the British Army Reserve. Evidently Kerenza has all the necessary qualities to succeed in elite sport. However, her choice to be a doctor shows she has empathy and compassion. Furthermore, her service as an Army officer shows her time management and ability to balance multiple concurrent commitments is remarkable. Kerenza gives great insights into the opportunities and challenges she faces. She discusses the hard realities of chasing Olympic medals, pursuing her medical career and having friendships.   Join Lindsay MacDuff as he asks Kerenza to reflect on her sacrifice and rewards and hear how she remains remarkably grounded, helping her identify what matters most. We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Quotations: “You can have it all, just not all at the same time” (Betty Friedan) “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)Follow Kerenza: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kerenzabrysonInstagram: instagram.com/kerenza.brysonFollow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Lieutenant General Richard Nugee served for 36 years in the Army and in the Ministry of Defence. He spent many years on operations and he specialised in the people space; finishing as Chief of Defence People. He also led a review into climate change policy and sustainability in the Ministry of Defence.Richard’s knowledge and understanding of effective leadership and culture change has developed over years of thoughtful service. He reflects on the importance of striking the balance between leading with confidence and arrogance. Richard also recognises the critical leadership trait of humility and keeping his feet on the ground; particularly when given the privilege of commanding service personnel. His mantra, developed in the early years of his career, became improving the lot of his soldiers. He explains the importance of leaders saying, “I don’t know” to create innovative solutions and establishing the conditions for all team members to feel valued. Since leaving the MOD Richard is a Strategic Advisor, Patron, Non-Executive Director, Mentor, Chair and Trustee of several organisations and charities as well as Chief Executive of the Scar Free Foundation. We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Follow Richard: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/richard-nugeeX: https://twitter.com/RNugee Follow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Toni Harding is an Aeronautical Engineer in the Royal Navy. She is a STEM Ambassador, mentor and works with the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces rugby team – often wearing leopard print heels! She is a thoughtful, energetic, positive disruptor who, after only four jobs in the Royal Navy, has been making big waves.  Toni has oceans of moral courage and strongly believes that good things happen when you do the right thing. Toni learnt early on the power of role modelling and how you can change culture with just one action.  She discusses the impact of having courageous conversations - it empowers others to step up and bring the best version of themselves to work. Join Toni as she shares her incisive insights that get beyond what you can see.  Take up her challenge for all leaders to get out of your comfort zone so that others can get into theirs! We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Toni enjoyed Rosie Wild's episode of The Culture Colonel, listen here: On Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/52hFHoHFum5rhk8X4UkVCnsi=ErGNq47dTvStcES17dF2wwOn Apple: apple.com/gb/podcast/to-all-the-women-who-came-before-me-with-rosie-wild/id1762448342?i=1000666053091Quotations: “Those who bring the sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves” J M BarrieFollow Toni: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-h-b0b03a50/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/wafu_wonders/ Toni’s “Carried Away” Blogs:  https://timeforthirtyfive.wordpress.com/ X:  https://twitter.com/wafuwondersFollow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com